Amusement device



July "16, 11,929.,

Z A. HQ BEcHToL E1' AL AMUSEMENT DEVICE VFiled Dc. 22, 19g? July 16, 1929- A. H. BEcHToL. ETY AL 4 AMUSEMENT DEVIICEv 4Filed 1250.22, 1927 4 sheets-sheet a I y 'Y Srwentor M lL Bechtel m. Tratch/ July 16, 1929. l A. H.' BEHToL ET AL 1 1.7215201"` AMUSEMENT"DEVIGE l r Filed Dec. 22, 192': v. 4 sheets-sheet' 4 inpentor v for its object to p rovidea construction less operating slide adapted to Parente July 16,1929. 1,721,201

ARCHIE H. BECHTOL, OF DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, AND WALTER TRATSCH, 0F I CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. f

TAMUSEMENT DEVICE.

application nieu December 22, 1927. serial 110,241,852. 1

This invention relates to amusement degenerally indicated by the numeral `form- 55 vices and more particularly to coin c011- ing the subject matter of said patent. trolled mechanisms involving a,l target .The pistol disclosed in said patent is protoward which balls may be iired, and has vided with a coinreceiving slot, and an orce a coin of costly-to manufacture and more eHcient to requisite size past a locking lever whereby 60 use than those heretofore proposed. the actuating' parts of the 4pistol will be With these and otherobjects in view the placed 7 in operative position so that balls invention consists in the novel details of can be successively lired fro the pistol 10 construction and combinations of parts as toward saidtarget. VThe pistol is univer-'- will be more. fullyhereinafter disclosed and sally mounted by the provision of suitable 65 particularly pointed out in the claims. pivots providing vertical and. horizontal Referring to the accompanying drawings movement of the muzzle .to cover they range forming a partof this specification in which of said target.

like numerals 'designate 'likeparts in all the With particular reference lto Figs. 3 and .50 as on the line-5 5 of Fig. 2 and" looking in 135, carried by the trigger member, workingI views Fig 1 is a perspective view of an amuse. of, it will be observed that the actuating ment device with parts broken away, to slide `70 ofisaid pistol is' provided vwitha f which this invention has been applied; -pin 81 rigid therewith, connected toone end/ f- Fig. 2 is a .vertical sectional view taken of `a lever 82`adapted to actuate, on thefull 7 of said patentv and the specification there- 70 centrally of the device shown in Fig. 1 and Stroke-thereof, the counting mechanism gen- 75" more particularly illustrating the invention; erally indicated by the numeral 83. ig. 3 is a detail sectional view illustrat- 'Further, with specialreferencetoFigs. 3.

ing the loading apparatus employed in this and 4 and the specification of said patent,

device; ,it will be observedthat there is provided -a Fig-4 is a horizontal sectional view taken loading lever 137,- pivoted as .at 138, and 80. as on the line 4-4 of Fi/gf3' andA looking controlled by a spring 141 which'is adapted in the direction of the arrows; y to be oscillated each time the trigger 131 Fig. 5-i`s-a horizontal sectional view taken' is pulled through the mediuml of the pin the direction of the arrows; l in the slot136 of said lever 137.' 85 Fig. 6 is a perspective view adapted to 'The oscillations of said lever will cause more clearly illustrate the target registering one end of the same, constituting the lifting device and the means for reset-ting .the head' 145, to reciprocate, in the receiving usame; ftube 151 for'loading lthe barrel with balls Fig. 7 is an 'enlarged detail view of somel to be fired. Fig. 3 yof said patentshows the 90 v of the parts shown in Fig. 6; lifting head 145 of the loading lever in vele- Fig. 8 is a verticalsectional view taken vated position, having just delivered a ball as O'n the line 8 8 QfFig, 2 andlooking in A vinto `the barrel of the pistol, but in Fig. v

.40 .the direction of the arrows; .l 5.4 it is clearly shown that said head Fig. -9 is a vertical sectional view taken travelsto such a lower position that, a part 95 as on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2 and looking in thereof eXtendseout of and below the casin the direction of' the arrows; and 1 of the; pistol when the trigger is pulle 1 Fig. 1 0 is a horizontalv sectional view taken There .is considerable 'for'e generated irl the' A as on the line 10-10 lof Fig. '9 and looking actuation of the loading lever and this force in the direction of the arrows. i 1S 'utilized the present invention. 10o

In order. that this invention may be 'the' In the amusement device now to be disbetter' understood` it is sa'id,that ,on Sepclosed there iS provided a Pistol 10 sub-*ftember 1, 1925 there was granted to Walter v Stantially a duplicate in all its `parts of the 501A. Tratsch the United States Patent pistol disclosed in said patent-,but not unia #1,551,858 entitled Amusement device in versally mounted. On the other hand, it is 1.05'

which there is disclosed al miniature' shootmounted on verticalnpivots,not shown, con-` ing gallery provided witha target generally tained'in a'casindg 1 adapted to forml the "indicated'by the numeral l3, and a pistol front plate of, an 'b'e'secure'd to, 'the cabinet 2 which housesthis device, so that the muzzle l of the'pistol can be given a horizontal translationA at the necessary elevated position` to fire balls over the substantially horizontal targetplate 3 disposed within -the cabinetunder the usual Vplate glass' cover forv devices of this character. The'target plate 3 is convstructed to simulate a billiard table in thatv it is provided'with a plane surface inclined slightly to insure balls -rolling thereover to a suitable opening 4 for return to the pistol. The lateral edge vortions of the plate 3 are provided with ru ber cushions 5 and openings, generally yindicated by the numeral 6, in the nature of pockets. Iny other words, at each of the four corners, and substantially midway of each .long side of the plate there is provided an opening between adjacent rubber cushions so that balls tired from the pistol may pass therethrough and drop into troughs or conduits, generally indicated by a separate conduit which is so pitched as to cause a ball therein to roll away .from said opening. L 4

As will be clear from Figs. 1 and 5 the. conduits 7 converge, softhat a .ball in anys 4conduit will roll into -a troughlike chamber the numeral 7, each opening associated with 8 vcommon to all of said conduits'andwhose bottom 1s shghtly inclined downwardly toward the converging narrow outlet end of .said chamber. Communicating` with said outlet is a special conduit or trap 9 the width of 'which -is just slightly in excess of the-` diameter of one of the balls fired by the pis tol. The bottom ofthis .trap `9 is pitched A lower than .the bottoms -of 'the' .previously mentioned passageways for the balls so that' said balls will positively enter said trap. From the trap each ball may enter anelevator tube 15 and-be. raised to a platform 16 adapted to permit the balls4 to roll to and through an opening 17 therein and drop onto a pistol supported shelf 18 which is'in turn adaptedjto direct the balls therefrom into the receiving tube 151 -of said pistol. The ballsV enterlng" the receiving tube are then raised into the' istol barrel by means of the loading lever 13 in a manner fully disclosed 1n sald patent.

` The operation of parts for returning'the ballsto the pistol will` novi'7 be f described. The shelf 18, as well as the platform 16, is made of suiicient size to accommodate several balls and the pistol with,-its'operating mechanlsm is so constructed that when the last ball has been fired from .the pistol for 'the inserted coin, the release ofpressure on the trigger will automatically .cause the barrel to'be reloaded witha ball, all as was disclosed in said patent,l l AfterLthe ne coin has been inserted and the operating slide.

` moved to unlock the pistol mechanism, said ball may be red from the gun b pulling `the trigger, at which time vthe loa g lever 137, due toits inter-connection with the trigger, will be oscillated in s uch manner that.

the headA 24 thereof which is curved asV shown. The arc of said'head is circularly formed aboutthe axis of the vertical pinions so of the pistol as a center 'so that said head will always be able to cooperatewith a stationary lever carriedby the5 cabinet. The extent of the head 24 to'both sides of the line ofthe. tail is/made in accordance with the total horizontal translation of the pistol. Thus it Will be seen that, regardless of the position of the pistol at vthe time the trigger is pulled, the loading lever 137 will actuate the lever 21 and cause the same to operate the shortend of a stationary lever 25 pivot-ed as at 26 to a Suitable supporting bracket 27 securedto the under side -of the plate 3.

The other end .of the lever 25 is provided with a slot adapted to receive a vpin 28 mounted in a piston or elevator 29 slidably disposed in the elevator tube 15 so that, upon the oscillation of said ,lever 25, the piston. 29. will be depressed against the tension of 4 a spring 30 disposed therebelowin said tube. The parts are so dimensionedthatwhen the piston 29 is in its lowermost position, as

seen in Fig. 2, it will uncover an opening 31 in the wall of the tube 15 communicating with the interior of the trap 9, said opening adapted to permit only one ball in saidA trap to pass therethrough and come to rest When the trigger is released theloading lever `137 will rise, thus vpermitting the levers 21 and 25 vto resume the positions they occupied before the pulling of said trigger vdue to the pressure of the spring 30 `forcing the piston 29 upwardly. It Vthus results'that the ball 35 resting on top of the piston is thrown upwardly out of the tubeIP5, striking'vthe under surface of the target plate fin the `tube 15 on the top of the piston.

3 as at 36 and carroming therefromlonto the platform 16` from which it will eventually` lroll into the receiving tube 151 of thepistol all aswill be clear from Fig. 3. vNo otherv 'ball can Venter the elevator tube 15 until the trigger of the pistol is again pulled, as from seals the opening 31, or at least prevents the ball 37 from entering said tube. The short "Figf2 it will be seen vthat the`piston 29"- end ofthe lever 25 may always be actuated b`y .thelever 21 due to the yextended arcuate l end 24 of thelatter.

The elevator tube 1 5 is angularly disposed f plate 3 secured one end 'as clearly indicated in the drawings toinsure the ball 35 rolling therein and remaining in proper position to 3'gbe expelled by the piston 29, instead of rolling back into the trap 9. Also, the inclination of `said tube creates a better cooperation between the lever 25 and said piston'29 since the pin 28 connecting the same works in a slot 40 disposed longitudinally in the wall of the elevator tube 15, 'and it is "highly desirable to make the travel of the pin 28 in a line closely approximating an arc struck from the pivot 26 of the lever as a center. vTo permit the above mentioned cooperation, the

end of the lever 25 is slotted forl travel ofsaid pin 28. .Still another advantage in i'nclining the tubel, vwhich is supported at its base by an extension 4l of the bracket 27, isto insure a ball expelled 'therefrom beingl deflected from the underside of the in a direction preventing its re-entering said tube. Y

This device is provided with means for scoring or registering the pockets through which the balls drop. The actuating lever 82 described in the above mentioned patent and while it does not directly operate the counting or registering mechanism yet one end 88 thereof extends out ofthe pistol 10 just as did the corresponding Aend of the same lever disclosed in said patent. This end 88 is adapted to coa'ct with an arcuately formed plate 50 rigidly mounted on 5l the other end of which is adapted to set the register to a zero reading. Stated in other words, when va, coin isv inserted in the pistol l0 and the coin slide described in said patent is operated, the end 88 of the lever 82.is moved out of the pistol into contact with the curved plate 50. Continued move` plate causes the ment against said curved bar 5l to be vmoved to -the right as seen in Figs. 2, 5 and 6` with the result that the other end 52`of said rod comes in contact withfa pin 53 mounted on a plate 54 freely pivoted as at 55 toa quadrant 56 having secured thereto a curved plate 57 on the eX#` posed surface ofv which is printed or otherwise formed designations indicating the score obtained by those balls which have passed through holes 6. I

That is to say, beneath the plate 3 there depends a vertical bracket 58 on which the quadrant 56 ismounted as by the pivot 55,

clock-wise about its pivot as -seen in Fig. 2. The quadrant carriesa pin 60 to which is of a helical spring the other end of which is secured to a pin 62- mounted on the plate 54 to cause said plate to normall come to a rest position with one of its sides against a stop-pin 63 oalso mounted on said quadrant.v The quadrant is further provided with a circular hub portion the edge of which is provided with teeth 64 adapted to be engaged by a double detent 65 pivoted as at 66 to the vertical bracket 58. Said detent has rigidly secured thereto an arm 7 0 extending in a substantially hor1- Zontal direction and normally resting on the upper side of a stoppin 71A mounted on the To the free end of this a link 72 extending upvtilt the same about its pivot. This action stated as follows.

the end of a push rod a light splral spring 59 being interposed betweenthe iixed `pivot 55 and the quadrantmember 56to cause said'l member to movev lin the target causes the link 72 to raise thefend of the arm and rock the double detent 65 about its pivot '66. The teeth of the detent 65 are so spaced that when this rocking occurs, the` .i quadrant 56 will be permitted under the action of the spring 59 to rotate about its pivot 55 adistance,controlled by and equal lto one of the teetlr 64 associated with said quadrant.

The result of this actionwill be readily understood from 'the drawings but may be through one of the plate 3, trough 7,-enter the trap chamber- 9, strike the end 76 of the lever 73,' and cause the quadrant 56 to turn about its pivot through a predetermined degree of arc. then resumes its raised normal position and the quadrant remains in the position to which it .has just moved until a ball rolls into the trap 9 and the same oper- Each time a ball passes` openings 6 in the target it will roll through the associated subsequent Said end 76v ations are repeated, whereupon the quadrant will move to a new position. The' designations are spaced on the arcuate disposed at the periphery ofthe quadrant member, and a sight window 80 is provided ber so that the designations are made visible to the operator of t-hedevice as they successively appear upon rotation of the quadrant. Adjustability of the parts just described are made possible-by securing the link '72 to the detent arm 70 -by meansofthe screw 90 with nuts above and below an angular projection 91`of said arm.

member 57 plate'3 directly .over said meml After the predeterminednumber of balls have been fired from the pistol for the coin inserted therein, thepistol .is automatically locked, as disclosed in said above mentioned patent, and the registering quadrant is left in the last'position to which it was moved. When the next coin is inserted in the pistol and the operating slide moved, the bar y51 will be ,moved to the right as seen in Fig. 6 and its'end 52 will strike the pin 53 carried 460 end 76,extending within the trap 9 so thatas the ball enters said trap itwill pass over 51 is provided with a slot'94 adaptedvto receive in working cooperation Vtherewith apin 95 rigidlycarried by the vertical bracket 58, and said .bar is also'provided with a second slot 96 to receive a pin 97 Ir1g1dly supported bythe bracket 75, said pins and slots serving as-means to guide the bar 51 and to control the longitudinal extent of its movement. A brace 100 may beprovided.

to strengthen lthe arcuate member carried by the rod 51, and a spring 101 disposed between said rodfand the `bracket insures a returnv oi said rod to position where it may be actuated by the end 88 olfI the pistol IOd 82:

Summarizing 'the' foregoing it will thus be seen that by this invention there` is pro- 1duced an amusement device including a pistol adapted to be unlocked b'y-aninserted coin, to fire a determined number of balls for each coin inserted and become automatically lockedthereafter, in combination with a target, means for returning balls to the pistol, means for registering thev openings 4through which the fired lballs passed, and means for' resetting the registering means. Iurther -it will be readily seen from' the drawings that of all the balls fired from the pistol some may enter the openings 6 in the target 3 for establishing a score, while those which do not pass through said openings may roll from the target plate into a pocket formed by suitable. side walls and the platform "16 from-which said balls may pass into -the pistol. Those' balls which pass through the openings 6 `will roll' through the conduits 7 into the trap 9 commonto all of said conduits and be elevated A by the piston 29 into the pm )cket aforementioned and'having the platform 16 having"a p ybottom for ultimately reloading intoL the pistol, The elevating means comprising tube 15 and piston 2O constitute'a separation between said pocket'and the trap 9, and sa1d piston is actuated by the firing means of the pistol. TThe registering means "fcom,

prises a pivoted member under thetension of the spring 59,-adapted to be released byv the. detent 65 which is controlled or operated by the releasing lever 73 having' the the end '76 and actuate the yregistering means". Lastly the means'for 'resetting theg registering` means `comprises the push rod 51 adapted to be actuated by thelever 82,

associated with the pistol unlocking mechanisin,\said rod 51 adapted for reciprocable movement and further adapted tocoact/with` one endv of a freely pivoted member 54 held under the tension of the spring 61, s aid` freely pivoted member being mounted actively with the registering member.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction as well` as arrangement of parts without departing n from the spirit of the invention, and therefor it is notk desired t`o be limited `to the above disclosure except as may be .required by the claims.

l/Vhat is claimed is z.- 1. In a device of the character described the combination of a firing means for suc cessively ejecting a predetermined numbery of balls, a target over which said balls may be rolled by said means, said target provided with a plurality or'` openings through which somel of. said balls may dropg--conduits' associated with said openings; a trap common to all of said conduits; meansv actusov ated by the firing means to recover balls conductedto saidv trap; and means to register the balls' passing through said openings.`

2. In a device of the character described the combination of a firing means for successively'ejecting a predetermined number of balls,v ata-rget over-which said balls may be rolled by said means, said target provided with a plurality of openings through which some of said balls may dropI and a pocket into which other of said balls'will enter; 4conduit-s associated with said openings; a' trap 'common to all of said conduits; means. actuated by the firing means to individually,

recover lballs conducted to said trap and :pass the same into said pocket; and 4means to register the lballs passing through said openings.

3. In a device ofthe character described .the combination of a firing means for successively ejecting balls, a target over whichF f said ballsf'may be rolled by said means, said 'target provided' with a plurality of -open' ings through y,which some'of said balls may dropand a pocket into which other of said balls will enter; conduits. associated with said openings; a trap common to all of said conduits; means for passing balls from said -trap into saidpocket; means for individually recoveringballs' from said pocket both of said lasthnamedmeans actuated'by the firing means; and means to ,register thel p i balls passing through said openings.

4. In a device of the character described ythe combination of a firing means, a target over which balls may be rolled by said means, said target provided with-.a plurality balls may drop and a pocket into which lof openings through which some of said .n

other of Iaaicl balls will enter; conduits assop" over Which balls mav ciated withv said openings; a trap common to all of said. conduits means constituting a portion of a Wall of said trap to recover balls conducted `to said' trap and pass the same into said pocket; and means to lregister the balls passing4 through said openingst 5. In a device of the character described the combination of a Ifiring means, a target over which balls may be rolled by said means, said target provided with a plurality openings through which somevof said balls may drop; conduits for said balls associated with said openings; a trap ,common to all of said conduits for receiving` the balls therefrom; means comprising a spring tensioned elevator to recover balls conducted to said trap;and means to register the balls passing through said openings.

In a device of the the combination of a firing means,f a target over Which balls may be rolled by said means, said target provided With a plurality of openings vthrough which some of said balls may drop; vconduits associated l.With said openings; a trap common to all of said conduits; means comprising a spring tensioned reciprocating member actuated by said firing means to recover balls conducted to said trap; and means to register the balls passing through said openings. f

7. In a'device of the character described the combination of a target over which balls lired from a pistol may roll, said target pro'- videdwith a plurality of openings through which some of said balls may drop; conduits associated Withsaid openings; a trap common to all -of said conduits; means including a plunger adapted to be reciprocated by the firing means to recover balls conducted to -saidtrap and return them to said ring means; and means to register the balls passing through said openings.

` 8. In a device of the character'described the combination of a firing means, a target over which balls Vmay be rolledby. said* means, said, target provided with a plurality of openings through which some ofrsaid balls may drop;`conduits associated With' said openings; a trap common to all of said conduits; -means actuated by said fringf meansl to singly recover ballsconducted to said trap; and with said trap through saidopenings. c v

. '9. In ay device of the character described the combination of a firing means, a target means coactively associated means, said target provided with ai plurality of openings: through Which Some of said, y.balls may drop; conduits associated with common to allvl of said said openings; a trap means actuated by said firing conduits means to recover balls conducted to'said trap; l

balls may into conduits leading to a commontl-ap; pi s.

and 'means including a detent. dontrolled spring tensioned member for successivelyA incharacter described to register the Vballs passing be rolled by said dicating the balls passing through said openings. s

10.v In a device of the character described of said conduits; means to recover balls l conducted to said trap; and means including" .a detent controlled spring tensioned member operated by a release member extendingi'nto said trap, said means being for 'visibly indicating the openings.

ll. In an amusement device including a pistol adapted to be vunlocked by an inserte'ch coin, to fire a predetermined number of balls for each coin inserted matically locked thereafter, thel combinayballs passing through said` and v become autotion of a 'target over which saidfballs may roll and drop through openings. into conduitsleading to` a common trap; means for simultaneously recovering the balls from said trap; While firing' other balls from said pistol 'registering means for indicat openings through which the balls passed; and means' for resetting the registering means. c y

v1'2. In an amusement device including` a pistol adapted to be unlocked by an inserted coin, to fire a predetermined number of balls foreach c oin inserted, and become automatically locke'd thereafter, the Vcombination of a target over which said balls may ing the' roll anddrop through openings into conduits .leading to a common trap; pistol controlled means for recovering the balls from said trap; registeringmeans for indicating f the openings through Which the balls passed;

and means controlled by the pistol unlock,`

` ing mechanism for resetting the registering means. 4 Y

'13.l In an amusement device including a pistoladapted to be unlocked byI an inserted Ycoin,v to tire a predetermined number of balls for each coin inserted, and become automatilcally locked thereafter, the combination of a target over Whichnsaifd balls may roll and drop through openings into conduits leading to a common trap;` pistol controlled means for recovering the balls from said trap; registering means for indicating the openings through Which the ballsV passed; and reciprocating and rotatable means actusetting the registering means.

'ated by'the pistol, firing mechanism forvrev 14.In an amusement device including a v pistol adapted to beunlocked by an inls'erted coin, to fire a predetermined num-- ber 'of balls foreach coin inserted,` and'become automatically locked thereafter, the combination of ,a target over Which said r'oll and drop through open-ings y 136 tol? controlled means for recovering the balls from said trap; registering means including a detent released and controlled pivoted member for indicating thevopenings through vwhich the balls passed; and means including the combination of a target over which ballsmay be rolled, said target provided with a plurality of openings through which some of said balls may drop; conduits associated with said openings; a trap common to all of isaid conduits; means to singly recover balls conducted to said trap; and means for successively indicating the balls through said openings, said means conrolled from said trap. j

16.` In a device of the character described ,he combination of a target over kWhich balls may be rolled, said target provided :with a plurality of openings through which some of said balls may drop; conduits associated with said openings; a trap common to all of said conduits; means to singly recover balls conducted to said trap; and means for ysuccessively indicating the balls passing through said openings, said means including a' spring tensioned rotatable member conrolled by an escapement operated from said 1g. In a device of the character described thecombination of a target over which balls may be rolled, said target provided with a plurality of openings through which lsome of said balls may drop conduits associated .with said openings; a; trap commonY to all of said conduits; means to singly recover passing balls conducted to said trap; and means for lurality of openings through Which some of'said balls may drop; conduits associated with said openings; a trap common to all of said conduits; means to singly recover balls .may be rolled, said target provided .with a conducted to said trap; and means for'successively indicating thel ballspassing through said openings; said meansl'includ- Aing a rotatable member under spring ten` sion provided With an edge portion of circularly arranged teeth adapted to be. engaged by a' paWl controlled from said trap.

19. In a device of the character described the combination of a target over Which balls may be rolled, said target provided With a plurality of said balls may drop;'conduits associated with said openings; a` trap common to all of said conduits; means to singly recover balls conducted to said trap; and means for successively` indicating the balls passing through said,openings, said means includ- .ing a rotatable member under spring tension provided With an edge portion of circuof openings through which* some 65 larly arranged teeth adapted to be engaged by a pavvl controlled by a' lever extending into said trap and actuated by each ball passing therethrough. y

In testimony whereof we' affix our signature.

' ARCHIE H. BECHTOL.

' WALTER A. ,TRATSCII 

